Half Minute Waltz and March, The

This quartet was written to provide less experienced woodwind players (especially the double reeds) an opportunity to play ensemble literature well within the limits of their technical and tonal development. A variety of instrumental combinations are offered to make the performing ensemble more versatile and more possible. The standard instrumentation would be flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon, but 2nd flute can be a substitute for the oboe, and a 2nd clarinet, or a bass clarinet for the bassoon. The Half Minute Waltz is of course a 'take-off' comparison to the famous 'Minute Waltz' by Chopin, and since a half minute is rather short for a composition, a march was added. All instruments are kept within practical range for this level and the entire piece is in E-flat major.